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The minute you throw
U2 into a conversation that includes faith and God folks come up with all types
of reasons to either agree or hate the idea.This holiday season we have a series that surely create conversation. Sarah
Hinlicky wrote an article sometime ago “I believe in God Do you U2” The article
will be the back drop for the series and we will share some excerpts from that article.

So, what does make Christian
music? Does it have to be written specifically for church, for liturgical or
devotional purposes, to fall into that category? Should it refer to Scripture,
quoting directly or alluding by imagery? Should it explicit purpose be to
evangelized? Where do you think U2 should fits into all of this ? This series will give you some insights to a different view. Your comments and views are welcome within this page or on our facebook site. Of course you can always jump on our forum page.

Every once and awhile we get emails that ask the question is U2 definitely a
Christian band or are they definitely not.
Well for sure we would all agree its one or the other. Christians look at the behavior of the band
and question the whole idea that they would be in fact Christians because “they
should not act that way” What way? Maybe its time to just let them be a band. A
band that is faith in humanity and a “higher power” (We would say God) allows
them to share views that all you the listener to decide for yourself. However, for those of you that will not let go
of it here is a repost of an article that will have you re-thinking and once
again coming up with the same answer. Maybe or maybe not; either way we have
had a life time of music that provides us a foundation to make a difference if
we choose do so.

Christians argue whether Bono and U2
are in fact Christian. And I’ll use the 5 stages of grief, a favorite of mine,
to put it all together.

Stage 1: Denial

U2 is a Christian band:

Are you kidding me? They love the Lord! Of course they’re Christian! Have
you heard the song “Magnificent?” That thing is practically a hymn. Here are
some of the lyrics: “I was born, I was born to sing for you. I didn’t have a
choice but to lift you up and sing whatever song you wanted me to. I give you
back my voice. From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise…” That’s like
an Irish version of John Newton.

U2 is not a Christian band:

Remember that time Bono swore during that awards ceremony? Was that part of
the gospel? I mean it wasn’t even a safe
Christian swear, it was one of the real ones. Was that a Bible verse? Does the
Message swear? It’s been so long since I read it.

Stage 2: Anger

U2 is a Christian band:

I didn’t want to do this, but I’m afraid you forced my hand. You literally
forced my hand. Watch the video of Bono and Bill Hybels, the pastor of one of
the biggest churches on

the planet. Then try to tell me he isn’t a Christian.
Just try!

U2 is not a Christian band:

Has Bono or Edge or the other guys who have the names we forget, have any of
them ever come out and said, “I’m a born again Christian?” Have they? Have
they? Until that happens, in that exact way and in those exact words, I don’t
even want to have this conversation.

Stage 3: Bargaining

U2 is a Christian band:

Here’s the thing. I don’t know the drummer’s name, so I am more than willing
to believe he’s not a Christian. But you’ve got to give me Bono. Come on, you
give me Bono and I’ll stop saying “U2 is a Christian band” and will instead
just say, “Bono is a Christian.”

U2 is not a Christian band:

OK, I’ve listened to a bunch of their music, I am willing to admit that in
some ways they write “Christian music.” Their melodies are very “Christian
like.” I’m not sure what that means but I value our friendship so I don’t want
to fight over this.

Stage 4: Depression

U2 is a Christian band:

Oh man, what if they’re not? Do I have to throw out all my albums? I’m
probably going to buy them again, but should I throw them out in some sort of post
retreat guilt-induced panic? I’ll do it, I swear I’ll do it.

U2 is not a Christian band:

Oh man, what if they are a Christian band? I’ve been listening to “I still
haven’t found what I’ve been looking for” and those lyrics make a pretty
compelling argument. I mean look at this, “You broke the bonds and you loosed
the chains, carried the cross of my shame, of my shame, you know I believed
it.” Bono literally says, you “carried the cross of my shame,” and he “believed
it.” Jeez, am I a jerk for doubting his faith? If one of my friends told me,
Christ “carried the cross of my shame” and that he “believed it,” would I doubt
him? No, I wouldn’t, so why am I so crazy about Bono’s faith?

Stage 5: Acceptance

U2 is a Christian band:

OK, I still like their music. I’m not getting rid of my music. I don’t care
if they’re Christian. I’m going to let that go and focus on other things. Like
I don’t know, loving my neighbor.

U2 is not a Christian band:

If Christians cover a U2 song and Christian radio will then play them,
that’s good enough for me. I give in. I’m willing to believe that U2 is a
Christian band.

Wow, we really took a journey today, didn’t we? From denial to acceptance, a
thrill ride of theological significance. And now we’re done. We’re all 100% on
the same page.

U2 is definitely a Christian band. Or definitely not. It’s one of those two.

U2 has been provoking audiences
including Christians since they began playing in the 70’s. They made it pretty
clear their influences early on, taking on social justice concerns and explored
the depths of pop culture in the 90’s.

U2 has been a staple
in sermons across the country, across denominations, and across generations. Get Up Off Your Knees is a collection of sermons from the
U2 catalog written by several authors. Co-editor Beth Maynard is the pastor
of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

U2
is not a “Christian band,” but some of its members are Christians with
significant fluency in the vocabulary of the Christian traditin. Thus,
throughout their work U2 naturally raises and wrestles with spiritual questions
using that vocabulary. Like all art, the results have many levels of meaning
and considered from diverse perspectives, especially when you consider that
U2’s catalog.

Preachers are always looking for
effective cultural connections that help people grasp the meaning of biblical
text. One of the points that Raewynne makes is that not only do we take the
biblical text out into the world, we bring our life experience and our
experience of the world with us when we read biblical text.

If you're a fan of
U2, when you come to a situation of discouragement, when you need to be
encouraged to persevere, you may come to that situation with "Walk
On" in your head. There's just a natural connection that you make of these
different texts and these different ways of telling the story of the world that
we're in.

Many believers criticize Bono for claiming to be Christian and failing to live in accordance with Evangelical standards and norms. Steve Stockman summarizes the cynicism of Christians as, “they drink and smoke and swear, how can you believe that they are still Christians?

His lifestyle reflects a strong relationship with his wife Alison Stewart and commitment to his four children. The humanitarian causes he advocates resonate from a Christian point of view with Biblical imperatives declaring the necessity of faith’s alignment with social justice.

Ultimately, the extent to which Bono lives between Christ and culture is debated.

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